COOLING ARRANGEMENT IMPLEMENTING A PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE

Description

FIELD

[0001] The present technology relates to cooling systems for cooling of electronic components. In particular, a cooling arrangement implementing a photovoltaic device is disclosed.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Electronic equipment, for example servers, memory banks, computer discs, and the like, is conventionally grouped in equipment racks. Large data centers and other large computing facilities may contain thousands of racks supporting thousands or even tens of thousands of servers.

[0003] The racks, including equipment mounted in their backplanes, consume large amounts of electric power and generate significant amounts of thermal energy. Cooling needs are important in such racks. Some electronic devices, such as processors, generate so much heat that they could fail within seconds in case of a lack of cooling.

[0004] Various cooling measures have been implemented to address the thermal energy generated by the electronic assemblies. One such measure provides an immersion cooling configuration, in which the heat-generating electronic components of electronic assemblies are submerged in a container that is at least partially filled with a non-conducting cooling fluid, such as, for example, an oil-based dielectric cooling fluid. In this manner efficient thermal contact and heat transfer is achieved between the heat-generating electronic components and the cooling dielectric cooling fluid.

[0005] However, it has been observed that a portion of the thermal energy may still be released in an environment of the racks, even in the presence of cooling systems. A more sustainable cooling arrangement may thus be desirable.

[0006] The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches

[0007] Document WO 2022/208403 A1 discloses a cooling arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1.

SUMMARY

[0008] Implementations of the present technology have been developed based on developers' appreciation of shortcomings associated with the prior art.

[0009] In particular, such shortcomings may comprise (1) deficiencies to optimize heat absorption; and/or (2) significant power consumption of the cooling systems.

[0010] In one aspect, various implementations of the present technology provide a cooling arrangement for cooling an electronic device, the electronic device including a heat-generating component. The cooling arrangement includes an immersion casing that contains a dielectric cooling liquid, the electronic device being, at least in part, immersed in the dielectric cooling liquid such that the dielectric cooling liquid collects, in use, at least a first portion of a thermal energy generated by the heat-generating component and a photovoltaic device proximate to the immersion casing and configured to convert at least in part a second portion of the thermal energy generated by the heat-generating component into electric energy, the second portion having radiated from the dielectric cooling liquid and through the immersion casing.

[0011] In some non-limiting implementations, the photovoltaic device comprises a thermal energy collecting surface oriented toward the immersion casing.

[0012] In some non-limiting implementations, a shape of the thermal energy collecting surface matches at least a portion of an external side of the immersion casing.

[0013] In some non-limiting implementations, the thermal energy collecting surface is a planar surface extending parallel to a side of the immersion casing.

[0014] In some non-limiting implementations, the immersion casing is made of a metallic material.

[0015] In some non-limiting implementations, the immersion casing is made of aluminum.

[0016] In some non-limiting implementations, the photovoltaic device is disposed proximate to an upper portion of the immersion casing.

[0017] In some non-limiting implementations, the photovoltaic device is further configured to transmit the electric energy to an energy storage device.

[0018] In some non-limiting implementations, the photovoltaic device is further configured to transmit the electric energy to the electronic device.

[0019] In some non-limiting implementations, the photovoltaic device is further configured to transmit the electric energy to another electric device.

[0020] In some non-limiting implementations, the electronic device is a server.

[0021] In some non-limiting implementations, the immersion casing is mounted in rack of a datacenter, the photovoltaic device being configured to be mounted in the rack.

[0022] In a second broad aspect, the present technology provides a rack system comprising a plurality of cooling arrangements.

[0023] In a third broad aspect, the present technology provides a method for cooling an electronic device, the electronic device including a heat-generating component. The method includes inserting, at least in part, the electronic device in an immersion casing that contains a dielectric cooling liquid such that the dielectric cooling liquid collects, in use, at least a first portion of a thermal energy generated by the heat-generating component and disposing a photovoltaic device proximate to the immersion casing and configured to convert at least in part a second portion of the thermal energy generated by the heat-generating component into electric energy, the second portion having radiated from the dielectric cooling liquid and through the immersion casing.

[0024] In some non-limiting implementations, disposing a photovoltaic device proximate to the immersion casing comprises orienting a thermal energy collecting surface thereof toward the immersion casing.

[0025] In some non-limiting implementations, a shape of the thermal energy collecting surface matches at least a portion of an external side of the immersion casing.

[0026] In some non-limiting implementations, the thermal energy collecting surface is a planar surface extending parallel to a side of the immersion casing.

[0027] In some non-limiting implementations, the immersion casing is made of a metallic material.

[0028] In some non-limiting implementations, the immersion casing is made of aluminum.

[0029] In some non-limiting implementations, disposing the photovoltaic device proximate to the immersion casing comprises disposing proximate to an upper portion of the immersion casing.

[0030] In some non-limiting implementations, the method further includes storing the electric energy in an energy storage device.

[0031] In some non-limiting implementations, the method further includes transmitting the electric energy to the electronic device.

[0032] In some non-limiting implementations, the method further includes transmitting the electric energy to another electric device.

[0033] In some non-limiting implementations, the electronic device is a server.

[0034] In some non-limiting implementations, the immersion casing is mounted in a rack system of a datacenter, the photovoltaic device being configured to be mounted in the rack system.

[0035] Implementations of the present technology each have at least one of the above-mentioned object and/or aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them. It should be understood that some aspects of the present technology that have resulted from attempting to attain the above-mentioned object may not satisfy this object and/or may satisfy other objects not specifically recited herein.

[0036] Additional and/or altemative features, aspects and advantages of implementations of the present technology will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] For a better understanding of the present technology, as well as other aspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a rack system for housing numerous electronic assemblies;

Figure 2 shows another perspective view of the rack system of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an electronic assembly;

Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a cooling arrangement for the electronic assembly in accordance some non-limiting implementations of the present technology;

Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of a cooling arrangement for a plurality of electronic assemblies in accordance some non-limiting implementations of the present technology;

Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of a cooling arrangement for the electronic assembly in accordance some other non-limiting implementations of the present technology;

Figure 7 is a flow diagram showing operations of a method for cooling an electronic device of the electronic assembly of Figure 3 in accordance with some embodiments of the present technology; and

Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of a cooling arrangement for a plurality of electronic assemblies in accordance some other non-limiting implementations of the present technology.

[0038] It should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified herein, the drawings are not to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] In the context of the present specification, unless expressly provided otherwise, a computer system may refer, but is not limited to, an "electronic device", an "operation system", a "system", a "computer-based system", a "controller unit", a "monitoring device", a "control device" and/or any combination thereof appropriate to the relevant task at hand.

[0040] In the context of the present specification, unless expressly provided otherwise, the expression "computer-readable medium" and "memory" are intended to include media of any nature and kind whatsoever, non-limiting examples of which include RAM, ROM, disks (CD-ROMs, DVDs, floppy disks, hard disk drives, etc.), USB keys, flash memory cards, solid state- drives, and tape drives. Still in the context of the present specification, "a" computer-readable medium and "the" computer-readable medium should not be construed as being the same computer-readable medium. To the contrary, and whenever appropriate, "a" computer-readable medium and "the" computer-readable medium may also be construed as a first computer-readable medium and a second computer-readable medium.

[0041] In the context of the present specification, unless expressly provided otherwise, the words "first", "second", "third", etc. have been used as adjectives only for the purpose of allowing for distinction between the nouns that they modify from one another, and not for the purpose of describing any particular relationship between those nouns.

[0042] With these fundamentals in place, we will now consider some non-limiting examples to illustrate various implementations of aspects of the present technology. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a rack system 100 for housing numerous rack-mounting assemblies 104. As shown, the rack system 100 may include a rack frame 102, rack-mounting assemblies 104, a liquid cooling inlet conduit 106 and a liquid cooling outlet conduit 108. As described more fully below, the rack-mounting assemblies 104 may be oriented vertically with respect to the rack frame 102, resembling books on a library shelf. This arrangement may provide for mounting a large number of such rack-mounting assemblies 104 in the rack frame 102, relative to conventional arrangements, particularly with respect to conventional arrangements of immersion-cooled rack-mounted assemblies.

[0043] Figure 2 shows another perspective view of the rack system 100. As shown, the rack system 100 may further comprise a power distribution unit 110 and liquid coolant inlet/outlet connectors 114. It is to be noted that the rack system 100 may include other components such as heat exchangers, cables, pumps or the like, however, such components have been omitted from Figures 1 and 2 for clarity of understanding. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rack frame 102 may include shelves 103 to accommodate one or more rack-mounting assemblies 104. As noted above, the one or more rack-mounting assemblies 104 may be arranged vertically with respect to the shelves 103. In some embodiments, guide members (not shown) may be used on the shelves 103 to guide the rack-mounting assemblies 104 into position during racking and de-racking, and to provide proper spacing between the rack-mounting assemblies 104 for racking and de-racking.

[0044] Photovoltaic devices 450 (Figure 4) are also provided in the rack frame 102 and interleaved between the rack-mounting assemblies 104. In use, the photovoltaic devices 450 may collect a portion of thermal energy generated in the rack-mounting assemblies 104 and convert the collected thermal energy into electric energy. A photovoltaic device 450 is described in greater details herein after.

[0045] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the rack-mounted assembly 104. As shown, the rack-mounted assembly 104 includes a detachable frame, or "board" 118 of an electronic device 120, and an immersion case 116. The board 118 holds electronic components 125 of the electronic device 120 and may be immersed in the immersion case 116. Although the immersion case 116, board 118, and electronic components 125 are shown as separate parts, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that, in some embodiments, two or more of these components could be combined. For example, the electronic components 125 could be fixed directly on the board 118 and/or the immersion case 116. In an implementation, the immersion case 116 is made of a metallic material such as, for example and without limitations, aluminum.

[0046] It is contemplated that the electronic devices 120 may generate a significant amount of heat. For example and without limitations, the electronic device 120 may be a server. Consequently, the rack system 100 may use a cooling system to cool down the electronic devices 120 to prevent the electronic devices 120 from being damaged. In an embodiment, the cooling system may be a hybrid cooling system including an immersion cooling system and a channelized cooling system.

[0047] As used herein, an immersion cooling system is a cooling system in which the electronic device is in direct contact with a non-conductive (dielectric) cooling liquid, which either flows over at least portions of the electronic device, or in which at least portions of the electronic device are submerged. For example, in the rack-mounted assembly 104, the immersion case 116 may contain a dielectric cooling liquid (not shown in Figure 3). Further, the board 118 including the electronic components 125 may be submerged at least in part in the immersion cooling case 116. In some embodiments, the dielectric cooling liquid and the board 118 may be inserted into the immersion case 116 via an opening 124 at the top of the immersion case 116. In some embodiments, the opening 124 may remain at least partially open during operation of the electronic device 120, providing a non-sealed configuration for the immersion case 116. Such non-sealed configurations may be easier to manufacture and maintain than sealed configurations, but may be inappropriate for, e.g., two-phase systems, in which the immersion cooling liquid may boil during operation of the electronic device 120.

[0048] In some embodiments, the immersion case 116 may also include structures or devices for cooling the dielectric cooling liquid. For example, a convection-inducing structure, such as a serpentine convection coil (not shown) in which a flow of cooling liquid (e.g. water) is maintained may be used to cool the dielectric cooling liquid via natural convection. Alternatively or additionally, a pump (not shown) may be used to circulate the dielectric cooling liquid either within the immersion case 116 or through an external cooling system (not shown). In some embodiments, a two-phase system in which dielectric cooling liquid in a gaseous phase is cooled by condensation may be used. Generally, any technology or combination for cooling the dielectric cooling liquid may be used without departing from the principles disclosed herein.

[0049] In the same or other implementations, a channelized cooling system may further be provided to cool heat-generating components of the electronic device 120 (i.e. the electronic components 125) using one or more liquid cooling units, which may also be called "cold plates" or "water blocks" (although a liquid circulating through the "water blocks" may be any of a wide variety of known thermal transfer liquids, rather than water). Examples of heat-generating components that may be cooled using such a thermal transfer device include, but are not limited to, central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), neural processing units (NPUs), tensor processing units (TPUs), power supply circuitry, and application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), including, for example, ASICs configured for high-speed cryptocurrency mining.

[0050] As depicted on Figure 4, the present disclosure describes a cooling arrangement 400 for cooling of the electronic device 120. In this implementation, the cooling arrangement 400 includes a photovoltaic device 450 and the immersion casing 116 that receives the heat-transfer liquid and the electronic device 120 therein.

[0051] In use, the photovoltaic device 450 is disposed at a distance proximate to the immersion casing 116 and converts at least in part a portion of the thermal energy radiated through the immersion casing 116 into electric energy. For example and without limitation, a thermal energy collecting surface 452 of the photovoltaic device 450 may be based on a size of the immersion casing 116. The thermal energy collecting surface 452 may range between a few square millimetres and a few square centimeters. More specifically, the photovoltaic device 450 is a thermophotovoltaic device that may produce electricity by collecting infrared wavelengths associated with the thermal energy radiating through the immersion casing 116 and subsequently converts the infrared wavelengths into electron-hole pairs within a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) medium 456. These electron-hole pairs can be conducted to leads within the photovoltaic device 450 to produce an electric current. The TPV medium may be made for example of Ge, GaSb, GaAsInSb or any suitable semiconductor material. The range of photovoltaic conversion wavelength of the TPV medium 456 is adapted to the infrared wavelengths emitted by the immersion casing 116. In use, the photovoltaic devices 450 may be fixedly attached to the rack frame 102 (e.g. connected to a mounting structure that is mounted onto the rack frame 102).

[0052] In this implementation, the thermal energy collecting surface 452 is oriented toward the immersion casing 116 to receive thermal entry therefrom, and a back surface 454. Electric current generated by the photovoltaic device 450 may further be directed to an electric load 500 connected to the thermal energy collecting surface 452 and to the back surface 454. The electric load 500 may be, for example and without limitation, an energy storage device (e.g. battery) or any other electric device. For example, electric energy generated by the photovoltaic device 450 may be used to power one or more fans installed in a datacenter hosting the rack system 100, and/or a pump of the immersion cooling system disclosed herein.

[0053] In some implementations, a shape of the thermal energy collecting surface 452 matches at least a portion of an external side of the immersion casing 116. For example, the thermal energy collecting surface 452 may be a planar surface and extends parallel to a side of the immersion casing 116 as depicted in Figure 4. As another example, the thermal energy collecting surface 452 may have a curved shaped to match a curved-shape immersion casing 116. In the illustrative implementation of Figure 4, the external surface of the immersion casing 116 is a planar surface.

[0054] In some implementations and as depicted in Figure 5, the photovoltaic device 450 may be disposed proximate to an upper portion 105 of the immersion casing 116. This may increase a conversion ratio of the photovoltaic device 450, given that a distribution of thermal energy radiating through the immersion casing 116 may provide a higher amount of radiated thermal energy at the upper portion 105 compared to a lower portion of the immersion casing 116.

[0055] By using immersive cooling collaboratively with the photovoltaic device 450 to cool the electronic devices 120, an in-use temperature of the dielectric cooling liquid may be higher than ambient air temperature due to its high heat capacity. Amount of radiated thermal energy that may be collected is thus increased. Using the immersion cooling system disclosed herein and the corresponding dielectric cooling liquid, the thermal radiation may be more concentrated on the walls of the immersion casing 116, thereby making the collection by the photovoltaic device 450 more efficient.

[0056] As shown in Figure 5, each immersion casing 116 and thus each rack-mounting assembly 104 may be associated with a corresponding photovoltaic device 450 for collecting a portion of thermal energy thereof. As a result, the photovoltaic devices 450 may participate in collecting thermal energy generated by the electronic devices 120 and radiated through corresponding immersion casings 116, and thus reduce a temperature in a vicinity of the electronic devices 120. Broadly speaking, the cooling arrangement 400 may cool the electronic devices 120 through the immersion cooling described above, and by collecting radiated thermal energy by the photovoltaic device 450.

[0057] In some implementations, some of the photovoltaic devices 450 may collaborate to convey electric energy to a same electric load 500 as depicted in Figure 5. In some other implementations, each photovoltaic device 450 may provide electric energy to a single corresponding electric load 500. In the same or other implementations, electric energy generated by the photovoltaic device 450 may be directed to the electronic device 120 (i.e. the electronic components 122) of the rack-mounting assembly 104 from which thermal energy has been collected by the photovoltaic device 450, as depicted in Figure 6.

[0058] Summarily, the cooling arrangement 400 may provide sustainable cooling to the electronic device 120 by reusing thermal energy radiated through the immersion casing in the form of usable electric energy.

[0059] Even though the photovoltaic devices 450 are located on a longitudinal side of the electronic devices 120, it is contemplated that the photovoltaic devices 450 may be disposed on any side (e.g. front side, rear side) of the electronic devices 120. For example, Figure 8 illustrates an implementation where a photovoltaic device 450 is disposed above a plurality of corresponding electronic devices 120, facing top sides thereof. A size of the photovoltaic device 450 may be adapted such that a single photovoltaic device 450 may be disposed above a corresponding single electronic devices 120.

[0060] Figure 7 is a flow diagram of a method 700 for cooling an electronic device, such as the electronic device 120, the electronic device including a heat-generating component (e.g. the electronic component 122) according to some implementations of the present technology. Some steps or portions of steps in the flow diagram may be omitted or changed in order.

[0061] The method 700 starts with inserting, at operation 710, at least in part, the electronic device in an immersion casing that contains a dielectric cooling liquid such that the dielectric cooling liquid collects, in use, at least a first portion of a thermal energy generated by the heat-generating component. The electronic device may be, for example and without limitations, a server. In some implementations, the immersion casing may be made of a metallic material such as aluminum.

[0062] In some implementations, the immersion casing may be mounted in a rack system, such as the rack system 100, of a datacenter, the photovoltaic device being mounted in the rack system.

[0063] The method ends with disposing, at operation 720, a photovoltaic device, such as the photovoltaic device 450, proximate to the immersion casing. In use, the photovoltaic device converts at least in part a second portion of the thermal energy generated by the heat-generating component into electric energy, the second portion having radiated from the dielectric cooling liquid and through the immersion casing. In some implementations, the photovoltaic device may be oriented such that a thermal energy collecting surface thereof is oriented toward the immersion casing.

[0064] In some implementations, the photovoltaic device is disposed proximate to an upper portion of the immersion casing. This may help to increase a conversion ratio of generated electric energy over the received thermal energy for the photovoltaic device.

[0065] In the same or other implementations, a shape of thermal energy collecting surface matches at least a portion of an extemal side of the immersion casing. This may help in increasing the conversion ratio of the photovoltaic device. For example, the thermal energy collecting surface may be a planar surface extending parallel to a side of the immersion casing. As another example, the thermal energy collecting surface may be a planar surface and extends parallel to a side of the immersion casing.

[0066] In some implementations, the method 700 further includes storing the electric energy in an energy storage device, transmitting the electric energy to the electric device disposed in the immersion casing and/or transmitting the electric energy to another electric device. In implementations where the immersion casing is mounted in a rack system of a datacenter, said other electric device may be one or more fans of the datacenter.

[0067] While the above-described implementations have been described and shown with reference to particular operations performed in a particular order, it will be understood that these steps may be combined, sub-divided, or re-ordered without departing from the teachings of the present technology. At least some of the steps may be executed in parallel or in series. Accordingly, the order and grouping of the steps are not a limitation of the present technology.

Claims

1. A cooling arrangement (400) for cooling an electronic device (120), the electronic device (120) including a heat-generating component (125), the cooling arrangement (400) comprising:

an immersion casing (116) that contains a dielectric cooling liquid, the electronic device (120) being, at least in part, adapted to be immersed in the dielectric cooling liquid such that the dielectric cooling liquid is adapted to collect,

in use, at least a first portion of a thermal energy generated by the heat-generating component (125); and

characterized by

a photovoltaic device (450) proximate to the immersion casing (116) and configured to convert at least in part a second portion of the thermal energy generated by the heat-generating component (125) into electric energy, the second portion having radiated from the dielectric cooling liquid and through the immersion casing (116).

2. The cooling arrangement (400) of claim 1, wherein the photovoltaic device (450) comprises a thermal energy collecting surface (452) oriented toward the immersion casing (116).

3. The cooling arrangement (400) of claim 2, wherein a shape of the thermal energy collecting surface (452) matches at least a portion of an external side of the immersion casing (116).

4. The cooling arrangement (400) of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the immersion casing (116) is made of a metallic material.

5. The cooling arrangement (400) of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the photovoltaic device (450) is disposed proximate to an upper portion of the immersion casing (116).

6. The cooling arrangement (400) of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the photovoltaic device (450 is further configured to transmit the electric energy to an energy storage device.

7. The cooling arrangement (400) of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the photovoltaic device (450) is further configured to transmit the electric energy to the electronic device.

8. A rack system (100) comprising a plurality of cooling arrangements (400) in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A method for cooling an electronic device (120), the electronic device (120) including a heat-generating component (125), the method comprising:

inserting, at least in part, the electronic device (120) in an immersion casing (116) that contains a dielectric cooling liquid such that the dielectric cooling liquid collects, in use, at least a first portion of a thermal energy generated by the heat-generating component (125); and characterized by

disposing a photovoltaic device (450) proximate to the immersion casing (116) and configured to convert at least in part a second portion of the thermal energy generated by the heat-generating component (125) into electric energy, the second portion having radiated from the dielectric cooling liquid and through the immersion casing (116).

10. The method of claim 9, wherein disposing a photovoltaic device (450) proximate to the immersion casing (116) comprises orienting a thermal energy collecting surface (452) thereof toward the immersion casing (116).

11. The method of claim 10, wherein a shape of the thermal energy collecting surface (452) matches at least a portion of an external side of the immersion casing (116).

12. The method of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the immersion casing (116) is made of a metallic material.

13. The method of any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein disposing the photovoltaic device (450) proximate to the immersion casing (116) comprises disposing proximate to an upper portion of the immersion casing (116).

14. The method of any one of claims 9 to 13, further comprising storing the electric energy in an energy storage device.

15. The method of any one of claims 9 to 13, further comprising transmitting the electric energy to the electronic device.

Ansprüche

1. Kühlanordnung (400) zum Kühlen einer elektronischen Vorrichtung (120), wobei die elektronische Vorrichtung (120) ein wärmeerzeugendes Bauteil (125) beinhaltet, wobei die Kühlanordnung (400) umfasst:

Tauchgehäuse (116), das eine dielektrische Kühlflüssigkeit enthält, wobei die elektronische Vorrichtung (120) zumindest teilweise dazu eingerichtet ist, in die dielektrische Kühlflüssigkeit derart einzutauchen, dass die dielektrische Kühlflüssigkeit dazu eingerichtet ist, im Gebrauch zumindest einen ersten Teil einer von der wärmeerzeugenden Komponente (125) erzeugten thermischen Energie zu sammeln; und gekennzeichnet durch

Eine Fotovoltaikvorrichtung (450), die sich in der Nähe des Tauchgehäuses (116) befindet und konfiguriert ist, um zumindest teilweise einen zweiten Teil der von dem wärmeerzeugenden Bauteil (125) erzeugten thermischen Energie in elektrische Energie umzuwandeln, wobei der zweite Teil von der dielektrischen Kühlflüssigkeit und durch das Tauchgehäuse (116) abgestrahlt wurde.

2. Kühlanordnung (400) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Fotovoltaikvorrichtung (450) eine Wärmeenergiesammelfläche (452) aufweist, die zum Tauchgehäuse (116) hin orientiert ist.

3. Kühlanordnung (400) nach Anspruch 2, wobei eine Form der Wärmeenergiesammelfläche (452) zumindest an einen Abschnitt einer Außenseite des Tauchgehäuses (116) angepasst ist.

4. Kühlanordnung (400) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei das Tauchgehäuse (116) aus einem metallischen Material hergestellt ist.

5. Kühlanordnung (400) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei die Fotovoltaikvorrichtung (450) nahe einem oberen Abschnitt des Tauchgehäuses (116) angeordnet ist.

6. Kühlanordnung (400) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, wobei die Fotovoltaikvorrichtung (450) ferner konfiguriert ist, um die elektrische Energie zu einer Energiespeichervorrichtung zu übertragen.

7. Kühlanordnung (400) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, wobei die Fotovoltaikvorrichtung (450) ferner konfiguriert ist, um die elektrische Energie zu einer Energiespeichervorrichtung zu übertragen.

8. Regalsystem (100), das eine Vielzahl von Kühlanordnungen (400) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7 umfasst.

9. Verfahren zum Kühlen einer elektronischen Vorrichtung (120), wobei die elektronische Vorrichtung (120) ein wärmeerzeugendes Bauteil (125) aufweist, wobei das Verfahren Folgendes umfasst:

teilweises Eintauchen der elektronischen Vorrichtung (120) in ein Tauchgehäuse (116), das eine dielektrische Kühlflüssigkeit enthält, dass die dielektrische Kühlflüssigkeit bei Gebrauch zumindest einen ersten Teil der von der wärmeerzeugenden Komponente (125) erzeugten Wärmeenergie aufnimmt; und dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass

eine Fotovoltaikvorrichtung (450), die sich in der Nähe des Tauchgehäuses (116) befindet und ausgelegt ist, um zumindest teilweise einen zweiten Teil der von dem wärmeerzeugenden Bauteil (125) erzeugten thermischen Energie in elektrische Energie umzuwandeln, wobei der zweite Teil von der dielektrischen Kühlflüssigkeit und durch das Tauchgehäuse (116) abgestrahlt wurde.

10. Verfahren nach Anspruch 9, wobei das Anordnen einer Fotovoltaikvorrichtung (450) in der Nähe des Tauchgehäuses (116) das Ausrichten einer Wärmeenergiesammelfläche (452) derselben in Richtung des Tauchgehäuses (116) umfasst.

11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10, wobei eine Form der Wärmeenergiesammelfläche (452) zumindest an einen Abschnitt einer Außenseite des Tauchgehäuses (116) angepasst ist.

12. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 11, wobei das Tauchgehäuse (116) aus einem metallischen Material hergestellt ist.

13. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 12, wobei das Anordnen der Fotovoltaikvorrichtung (450) in der Nähe des Tauchgehäuses (116) das Anordnen in der Nähe eines oberen Abschnitts des Tauchgehäuses (116) umfasst.

14. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 13, ferner umfassend das Speichern der elektrischen Energie in einer Energiespeichervorrichtung.

15. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 9 bis 13, ferner umfassend das Übertragen der elektrischen Energie zu der elektronischen Vorrichtung.

Revendications

1. Agencement de refroidissement (400) pour refroidir un dispositif électronique (120), le dispositif électronique (120) comprenant un composant générateur de chaleur (125), le dispositif de refroidissement (400) comprenant :

un boîtier d'immersion (116) qui contient un liquide de refroidissement diélectrique, le dispositif électronique (120) étant, au moins en partie, adapté pour être immergé dans le liquide de refroidissement diélectrique de telle sorte que le liquide de refroidissement diélectrique soit adapté pour collecter, lors de l'utilisation, au moins une première partie d'une énergie thermique générée par le composant générateur de chaleur (125) ; et caractérisé par

un dispositif photovoltaïque (450) à proximité du boîtier d'immersion (116) et configuré pour convertir au moins en partie une seconde partie de l'énergie thermique générée par le composant générateur de chaleur (125) en énergie électrique, la seconde partie ayant rayonné à partir du liquide de refroidissement diélectrique et à travers le boîtier d'immersion (116).

2. Agencement de refroidissement (400) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif photovoltaïque (450) comprend une surface de collecte d'énergie thermique (452) orientée vers le boîtier d'immersion (116).

3. Agencement de refroidissement (400) selon la revendication 2, dans lequel une forme de la surface de collecte d'énergie thermique (452) correspond au moins à une partie d'un côté externe du boîtier d'immersion (116).

4. Agencement de refroidissement (400) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel le boîtier d'immersion (116) est constitué d'un matériau métallique.

5. Agencement de refroidissement (400) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel le dispositif photovoltaïque (450) est disposé à proximité d'une partie supérieure du boîtier d'immersion (116).

6. Agencement de refroidissement (400) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel le dispositif photovoltaïque (450) est également configuré pour transmettre l'énergie électrique à un dispositif de stockage d'énergie.

7. Agencement de refroidissement (400) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel le dispositif photovoltaïque (450) est également configuré pour transmettre l'énergie électrique à un dispositif électronique.

8. Système de baie (100) comprenant une pluralité d'agencements de refroidissement (400) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7.

9. Procédé de refroidissement d'un dispositif électronique (120), le dispositif électronique (120) comprenant un composant générateur de chaleur (125), le procédé comprenant :

l'insertion, au moins en partie, du dispositif électronique (120) dans un boîtier d'immersion (116) qui renferme une liquide de refroidissement diélectrique de telle sorte que le liquide de refroidissement diélectrique collecte, lors de l'utilisation, au moins une première partie d'une énergie thermique générée par le composant générateur de chaleur (125) ; et caractérisé par

la disposition d'un dispositif photovoltaïque (450) à proximité du boîtier d'immersion (116) et configuré pour convertir au moins en partie une seconde partie de l'énergie thermique générée par le composant générateur de chaleur (125) en énergie électrique, la seconde partie ayant rayonné à partir du liquide de refroidissement diélectrique et à travers le boîtier d'immersion (116).

10. Procédé selon la revendication 9, dans lequel la disposition d'un dispositif photovoltaïque (450) à proximité du boîtier d'immersion (116) comprend l'orientation d'une surface de collecte d'énergie thermique (452) de celui-ci vers le boîtier d'immersion (116).

11. Procédé selon la revendication 10, dans lequel une forme de la surface de collecte d'énergie thermique (452) correspond au moins à une partie d'un côté externe du boîtier d'immersion (116).

12. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 9 à 11, dans lequel le boîtier d'immersion (116) est constitué d'un matériau métallique.

13. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 9 à 12, dans lequel la disposition du dispositif photovoltaïque (450) à proximité du boîtier d'immersion (116) comprend la disposition à proximité d'une partie supérieure du boîtier d'immersion (116).

14. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 9 à 13, comprenant également le stockage de l'énergie électrique dans un dispositif de stockage d'énergie.

15. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 9 à 13, comprenant également la transmission de l'énergie électrique au dispositif électronique.

Drawing